Unfurl: Beltane Ecstatic Dance

Do you already feel the unfurling of spring within your limbs and spirits? Feel the creative abundance all around you, inspiring possibility? It is also Beltane, an ancient Celtic celebration of fertility and spring, of bonfires and rebirth. Let’s dance and bloom into the wonders of this season together by the rocky shore.

Ecstatic dance is an intentional space where all bodies are welcome to dance and move however they feel with the music. It is a non-performative, personal experience within community. It is a practice, a party, a meditation, a ritual. Different for everyone. Some come to let loose, some come for a deeper journey. Follow your own rhythm and what your body needs. Dance, be still, sit on a rock, twirl down the beach.

We refrain from having conversations on the dance floor. This supports the goal of getting in touch with our bodies, communicating with movement and getting away from linear thought.

The music is varied, and is often without lyrics, to facilitate really getting into a flow. The music starts with lower beats, more calm, and rises over the 1.5hr dance to very high beats, and back down again by the end.

There is a set beginning and end where we join together in circle to meet each other and integrate the experience that deepens the experience for many. Please join us for the whole dance journey, or for those parts you are called to and/or have capacity for.

All are welcome.

COST: Sliding scale $15-$30. Eventbrite or cash in person. If the cost is prohibitive, please come anyway.

LOCATION: We meet at The Rock- Patterson Park - in Kingston/Kataroqwi.

From the parking lot at Patterson Park (96 Sunny Acres Rd, off Front Rd), it is a few minutes down the foot path along the grass and trees to the large outcropping of rock on the water.

This area the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe First Nations. As organizers we are grateful to those who took care of this land for centuries before us and acknowledge the atrocities colonialism has imparted on indigenous communities. We dance here respectfully and want to support indigenous sovereignty.

OTHER INFORMATION: The foot path at Patterson Park is a few minutes along a grassy area on a slight hill, and then a dirt path through trees. The terrain has some large roots and downed trees. Getting from the path to the rock beach requires going down a small slope of dirt, rocks and roots. "The Rock" itself -the dance floor- is a large relatively flat rock with some uneven parts and loose rocks.

The spoken introduction to the dance can be made available as a printout upon request.

There will be a small campfire lit through the evening and there will be loud music with heavy beats.

Washrooms are not available at Patterson Point - something to keep in mind.

If you are feeling sick, please stay home. We look forward to dancing with you at another time.

CARPOOLING: If you need a ride, post a request on this page. Somebody might be going your way.

*Versions of "Ecstatic Dance" have been practiced for centuries in various forms by a variety of spiritual communities around the world, and continue to be an important ceremony for many cultures. The ecstatic dances we offer are for anyone who is seeking a place where all bodies and ages can dance without feeling judged, and move however they feel with the music. Some people come to ecstatic dance for a transformational or spiritual experience, others come simply to let loose in their bodies and dance in community. In this community there are a few agreements we follow to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome:

• We refrain from having conversations on the dance floor. This supports the goal of getting in touch with our bodies, communicating with movement and getting away from linear thought.

- We find our own inner state of wellbeing an inhibition without using alcohol or drugs.

• To foster intuition and the non-performative nature of these dances, and to respect others' privacy, we refrain from taking photos or videos during the events;

• When engaging in interactive dance: we listen for a "yes" (get eye contact first), and respect any "no" (putting up a hand, moving away). Respect a solo dancer's right to their space and refrain from giving another dancer unwanted attention.

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